City Building Permits
Palmer Township, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Palmer Township, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Palmer Township administers permits locally under its ordinances and the Pennsylvania UCC.
- Department
- Palmer Township Building Codes and Permits / Codes and Zoning Department
- Address
- 3 Weller Place, Palmer, PA 18045
- Phone
- (610) 253-7191
- permits@palmertwp.com
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Palmer Township • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Review Palmer's permit pages to confirm whether the work needs a building permit, zoning permit, or related driveway or electrical permit.
- Print and complete the required application before visiting the municipal building.
- Ensure the contractor has obtained a Township business privilege license before permit issuance.
- Bring the application and supporting documents to the municipal building for review.
- Pay the calculated permit fee and receive the permit.
- Arrange inspections and complete the work under township review.
Typical processing time: No public processing estimate was located on Palmer's reviewed permit pages.
Source: Palmer Township Building Codes and Permits / Codes and Zoning Department
General Requirements
Palmer lists structural changes, plumbing, electrical, new and replacement HVAC, replacement water heaters, reroofing, replacement windows, decks, pools, finished basements, driveways, signs and banners, living space conversions, patios, fences, retaining walls, sheds, carports, hot tubs, spas, and jacuzzis.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application and supporting documents appropriate to the project
- Permit validity
- No general permit expiration rule was located on the public Palmer pages reviewed.
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, as referenced by Palmer's permit pages and annual fee schedule.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly posted in the reviewed Palmer materials.
- Contractor requirements
- Permits will not be issued until the contractor obtains a Palmer Township business privilege license.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $35 accessory structures up to 100 square feet, $35 electrical permit, $35 patio or deck under 30 inches zoning permit, $35 replacement window permit, and $60 plumbing or mechanical permit
- Plan check fee
- Residential plan review fee is $60 for new construction and additions 1,000 square feet and over, and $35 for additions under 1,000 square feet. Commercial plan review fee is listed in the schedule.
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed. Residential new construction, additions, and decks over 30 inches are square-foot based at $0.35 per square foot; unfinished basements and attached garages are $0.30 per square foot; many common permits are flat-rate; some nonresidential zoning permits are value based.
- Reinspection fee
- Reinspection fee for all permit types beyond two is $60. Fire inspection reinspections are $50. Beginning construction without required permits triggers a 200 percent compliance penalty fee.
- Penalty (no permit)
- 200 percent compliance penalty fee for beginning construction without required permits
- Payment note
- Fee schedule is adopted annually by resolution. The public permit pages do not describe online payment for permits. Palmer adds the Pennsylvania UCC surcharge of $4.50 to applicable permits.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Palmer Township Building Codes and Permits / Codes and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Through the Codes and Zoning Department after permit issuance (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Palmer's fee schedule embeds multiple inspections for certificates, fire, sewer laterals, and permit-specific work
Additional Resources
- Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, as referenced by Palmer's permit pages and annual fee schedule.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Permit Process
- Fee Schedule
- License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Palmer Township Building Codes and Permits / Codes and Zoning Department before applying.
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